Steaming attachment for cloth spreading machines



W. W. ARTZT May 22, 1956 STEAMING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES Filed June 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

T m RM H M m M T M A n W w. w. ARTZT 2,746,278

STEAMING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES May 22, 1956 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed June 14, 1952 INVENTOR. W/u/AM M ARTZT 1 m7 Arm/a ar w. w. ARTZT 2,746,278

STEAMING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES May 22, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 14, 1952 EHMIW" T MUM w N W m W %fl W4 u M May 22, 1956 w. w. ARTZT 2,746,278

STEAMING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1952 I N V EN TOR.

9 Mum/w M 4/?7'27' ,4 TTORNEY United States Patent Oflice 2,746,278 Patented May 22, 1956 STEAMING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES William W. Artzt, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Trimless, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 14, 1952, Serial No. 293,692

6 Claims. (Cl. 68-5) The present invention relates to cloth spreading machines, and is particularly directed to a steaming attachment for association with machines which operate to layup, rack or spread tubular knit goods.

It has been found that tubular knit goods, when received from the knitters or dyers in bolt form, will vary substantially in diameter along the length thereof. While such goods are normally pre-shrunk at the source of manufacture, the variations in diameter appear to result from uneven drying-out, caused by the different weight or pressure exerted on different lengths of the goods at different radial locations inthe bolt, and from rough handling of the bolts during shipment. Thus, when the bolt is unwound and the tubular knit goods layed-up, racked or spread to provide a stack of folds preparatory to the cutting of suitable garment forming blanks therefrom, the folds will not be of the same width and it will be diificult to effect alignment of the side edges of the superposed folds. Therefore, it has been common practice to employ personnel at the laying-up, racking or spreading machine charged with the responsibility of manually aligning the edges of the superposed folds at first one side and then the other side of the machine. It is apparent that the need for such personnel substantially increases the cost of preparing the tubular knit goods for the cutting operation in the production of garments formed from that material, and that it would be particularly advantageous to automatically stretch or shrink the tubular knit goods, as required, during the laying-up, racking or spreading thereof so that the deposited folds will all be of the same width and have their side edges in accurate alignment.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a steaming attachment for mounting on a laying-up, racking or spreading machine handling tubular knit goods, and which is operative to steam at least the edge portions of the tubular knit goods before the latter passes over the adjustable spreading frame of the machine so that the goods will be capable of being stretched laterally by the frame, or will shrink onto the frame, to provide superposed folds of uniform width.

Another object is to provide a steaming attachment for machines of the described character which is operative to steam the tubular knit goods for the above recited purpose without interfering with the normal operation of the associated laying-up, racking or spreading machine.

Another object is to provide a steaming attachment of the described character which is adapted for mounting upon any of the laying-up, racking or spreading machines now in common use.

A further object is to provide a steaming attachment of the described character having automatic controls for regulating the temperature of the steam to prevent scorching of the treated goods.

A still further object is to provide a steaming attachment'of the described character which includes shield means for disposition between the source of the steam and the goods being treated, when the associated spread ing machine is inoperative, thereby preventing saturation or scorching of the goods at the treatment zone.

In accordance with the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a steaming attachment which includes a frame adapted to be mounted upon the standards projecting upwardly from or forming a part of the carriage of the associated laying-up, racking or spreading machine. The frame supports two parallel, spaced apart and hollow steam producing members between which the knit goods passes in travelling down wardly to the feeding rolls of the spreading machine. These hollow members have openings or perforations formed in their confronting sides to direct steam against the opposite layers of the tubular knit goods. The steam is preferably produced within the hollow members by feeding water to the same at a rate controlled by suitable valves and heating the water within the hollow members by means of electrical heating units disposed therein and controlled by suitable adjustable thermo-responsive units to provide steam of a predetermined temperature. In order to minimize any restriction to the travel of the carriage of the spreading machine, the steaming attachment is preferably substantially self-contained, and for that reason the water supplied to the steam producing members is preferably drawn from a supply tank which is also mounted upon the carriage of the spreading machine. impcrvious shield members movable vertically in planes interposed between the tubular knit goods and the perforated sides of the steam producing members. When the spreading machine has been stopped, the shield members may be placed between the steam emitting openings of the hollow members and the goods to prevent saturation or scorching of the latter without requiring any halt in the production of steam.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the hollow steam producing members are cylindrical in configuration and have internal bafiles or shields arranged to prevent splashing of water out through the perforations. in another embodiment of the invention, the hollow steam producing members are rectangular in configuration with the heating elements being arranged near the bottom thereof so that they may be immersed by a smaller quantity of water to permit production of steam in a relatively short period.

The foregoing, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, forming wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a laying-up, racking or spreading machine having a steaming attachment associated therewith in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the steaming attachment of Fig. 1 shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View looking at one end of the steaming attachment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the steaming attachment of Fig. 2 and showing the end opposite to that appearing in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, but on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connections included in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of parts of a steaming attachment constructed according to another embodiment. of the invention; and

a part hereof, and

Further, the steaming attachment also includes Fig. 9. is. a. transyerse sectional view. similar to that of Fig. 5, but of the embodiment appearing in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, a steamingv attachment, generally indicated by. the reference numeral. 10. and: embodying the present invention, is there. shown in. association with a laying-up, racking or spreading machine, hereinafter called a spreading machine, of conventional construction. The spreading machine is preferably of the kind including cold; feeding rolls and adjustable spreading frames, for; example, machines of the type produced by l. A. Firsching andrSonJnc Utica, N. Y'.; Cutting Room Appliances Corp, New. York, N h; Grandi Rapid Ma- Qhinery Corp; and Utica. Novelty and Mill Specialty (30., Utica, N. Y.

In Fig. 1, only. so much of the spreading machine has been illustrated: as is. necessaryfon an understanding of the present invention and the. illustrated elements of the nventional: spreading machineinclude a table 12 onto which the folds of the tubular knit: goods are to be de- PQSitQd. A carriage Mt is supported on wheels. and arranged; for reciprocating motion, over the-table 12. In order to. guide the reciprocatingmotion of the carriage, the table 12 is provided with a track 1.6 along an edge thcrccafv and receives theflanged rim of. a wheel 18' mounted on the related side of the carriage 14. Two coldfeeding rolls. Ziland 22. aremounted on the carriage 14; in surface contactwith each other and in a manner to move upwardly together as. the stack of folds of knit goods increasesin height. In order to. drive the feeding rolls 20 and: 22 as the carriage is reciprocated-over the table, the illustrated spreading machine includes a gear 2;mounted rotatably at one side of carriage 14 and meshing; with a gear rack (not. shown) extending along the. related side of the table. 12. ct and chain. transmission, generally. indicated by. thereference numeral 26, is driven by. the gear. 24.and in turn drives the feeding roll 22. The transmission 26 in cludes conventionahmeans (not-shown) for maintaining the rotation of rolls. 2.0.and. ZZ-inthedirectionsefiecting downward movement; of their. contacting surface portions as thedirection of rotation of. the gear. 2.4.. is reversed by the reciprocating movementof the carriage 14.

The tubular knit: goods to be layed-np, or. rackedv by thespreadingmachine ismounted, in the form of. a rollorbolt 22;, uponsuitable arms Silaextending from the carriagel i. The tubular goodsis drawnfrom the roll 23 and passes over a guide r0ll;3'2:,which. is. mounted.in an elevated position on the. upper ends of standards. 34

and 36 which extend upwardly from: the opposite sides.

ofthe carriage 14. After passing over the. guideroll 32', the tubular goodsv passes downwardly and between the feeding rolls ZlI-and 22. Thus, as the carriagel tis reciprocated, either manually or by any suitable mechan.-. ical means (not shown), the tubular fabric islaid in' a stack of folds 38. In order to control the lengths of the folds, the reciprocation of carriage 14 is, limited-by. adjustable stops dlland 42 which are respectively. engage. able with the wheel 38 and with the gear 24. Finally, the spreading machine includesanadjustable spreading frame (not shown) which is positioned within the. tubular goods at the portion of the latter above the feedingrolls 2t) andZZ, and functions to laterally stretch the tubular goods.

it has been found that the tubular goods, when received from the manufacturer, will vary substantially'in diameter alongits. length, and these variations will not side edges present substantialdifliculties when the vari ous, folds of the stack are to be simultaneously cut;to provide garment forming blanks.

In order to avoidsuch difiiculties during the. Cutting A suitable gear. and; sproclo operationandto providestacked foldsof" precisely' the same width, the steaming attachment 10, embodying the present invention, functions to steam at least the opposite edge portions of the tubular goods prior to its passage over the spreading frame so that the tubular goods will be either permanently stretched by the frame, or will shrink ontothelatter, depending uponwhether the original diameter'of the, goods is greater or smaller than the desired diameter as determined by the adjustable. spreading frame.

The steaming'attachment 10*is show-n indetail in Figs. 2 to 7, and includes a frame formed by side members 44 and 46 which are joined together at: their forward ends by a cross-member 48. The cross-member 48 is preferably secured fixedly at one end to the side member 44 and is formed with a longitudinal slot 59 to re ceive suitable fastening members 52 extending throughihe side-member-46 sothatthelatter maybe adjustedtoward and'away'from the side member 44 toaccommodate the frame for mounting onvarious' spreading machines. In order to mount the frame upon the standards'34' and3'6', each of the side members 44 and 46' has a clamping bracket 54 secured thereto-to-encircle' the adjacent stand ard:

Spaced=apart steam-produeingcylinders56 and 58 are mounted upon the side members" 44 and 46 parallel to the; cross-member 48 and are positioned so that the tubular: knit goods will; pass between the" cylinders 56' and. SSZiELrunni'ng from theguide roll' 32 to'the feedingrolls Zflzand 22. The cylinders561and58- are secured to'the side membersby brackets 60 which encircle" the cylinders. and are bolted tothe side members.

Water: isleditothe cylinders 56 and 58-by conduits or: pipes. 62v and 64; respectively. Adjustable metering values: 661 and 68 are respectively. interposed in the corrduits;62iand' 6421B control the rateof flow'of water to the related-steam-prodncing cylinders. and 6' 4zarejoined: together by a-T-connector 70 and cornrnunicate with a water-supplyline 722 A shut-off valve 7 4tiszpreferably. located in the line 7 2' and the latter'leads toawatensupplydanlc 76' wl1ichis removably supported on. support brackets. 73eXtending-rearvvardly from the standards ;34:and=' 3,6; The tank Wide-preferably located at an. elevation. above that of the cylinders 56" and 58* so that the: water Willi gravitationallyfed to the latter; Further, the lines'l2 is preferably provided'with an easily' separable coupling between valve; 74- and" connector 70 so: that; the tank; may be removed from its supports for refilling at a convenient source=of-water.

In-i orderr-to provide for-heating of the water fed" to the;clylinders- 56 and-T58lto produce-steam-therefrom, eachof; the cylinders has an:- el'ectric resistance heating; coil or unit .Slhdisposed-therein andconnected to a'suitable source of: electric; current. The heating units- S0 are eachconmllcdrby: atthermostatie control unit-82 ofany suitableconventionakconstructionwhich maybe mounted uponahousing carried-vby-atheends of the cylinders 56 and I 58;}, As seen-.inFig. 7;.each: thermostatic control unit- 82 mayainclude two, contacts; generally designated bythe ference: numeral; 86,. interposed int the line 88- feeding current-Ao-Jherelated. heating unit frorn' a source-94). One o the contaets: 86 may be; mounted :upon a bellows- 92 ..whie. s expanded and contracted .by. the expansion and contraction:ofiajsuitable gas; in-a: bulb 94 which'is insertedgintoathe; cylinder-5.6 01.58: Tho-other of. the com tacts: 8,6 ;IDZiY bQIQQlIIIiCdLl-IPOIL an adjustable stem 96 which is manually rotatable.;by a knob'98tto move said otheecorrtact toward-or; away from the: contact actuated by thesbellows, 92.; Thus; when::the: increasedlempera-e tu 1;e in the steam predueing cylinder. hasv reacheda: prey,- determined level, established by thC,PQSltiOI1:Of the con:- c -0astear96 the xpansion-en ire gas uhulb 9.4:;wi1l ausestheacontact carried y, h ellows 9,2. to: be n ratedjrorrr theothehof the contacts to; interrupt the ener: gizationpf,tin-related; heating u jr-r It isJapnarent-trom;

The conduits 62" the above, that overheating of the water in the cylinders 56 and 58 may be prevented so that steam of the proper temperature is produced therein.

In order to project the steam produced in the cylinders 56 and 58 against the tubular knit goods passing therebetween, the cylinders are provided with spaced apart openings 100 at their confronting sides. Such openings may extend in a continuous series along substantially the entire length of the cylinder, or they may be confined to the areas corresponding to the edge portions of the tubular goods, in which case the adjustment of the width of the goods, by shrinking or stretching, will be limited to the edge portions thereof. In any event, it will be seen that the cylinders 56 and 58 steam the opposite surfaces of the tubular goods, and the valves 66 and 68, controlling the feeding of water to the cylinders, and the thermostatic controls 82, controllingthe temperatures developed in the cylinders, permit the adjustment of the attachment so that the goods are steamed only to the degree necessary to remove the variations in the width. It is apparent that the rate at which the steam is required will vary in accordance with the speed at which the goods pass between the cylinders 56 and 58 and also with the characteristics of the goods, for example, the extent of the variations in width which are to be corrected.

In order to prevent saturation or scorching of the portion of the goods located in the steaming zone between the cylinders 56 and 58, when the operation of the spreading machine is halted or discontinued, a shield assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 102, is provided on the attachment frame. The shield assembly 102 is mounted on L-shaped supports 104 and 106 which are secured to the central portions of the side members 44 and 46, respectively. Each of the L-shaped supports 104 and 106 includes a vertical arm having a longitudinal slot 108 formed therein and a horizontal arm extending from the top of the slotted vertical arm. A shaft 110 is rotatably journalled in the free end portions of the horizontal arms of supports 104 and 106, and has a rock arm 112 (Figs. 2 and 4) fixed to an end thereof for swinging movement adjacent the outer face of support 106. A lever 114 is fixed intermediate its ends to the other end of shaft 110 (Figs. 2 and 3) for swinging movement adjacent the outer face of the support 104. The lever 114 is provided with a handle 116 on one end for manual actuation of the shielding assembly, and at its other end is formed with a slot 118 for receiving a pin 120 which is slidable in the slot 108 of the related support 104. The rock arm 112 is also formed with a slot 118 which receives a pin 120 working in the slot 108 of the related support 106. Thus, as the handle 116 is manipulated, the arm 112 and lever 114 will effect vertical movement of the pins 120 within the support slots 108.

The shield assembly 102 further includes a pair of spaced parallel rods 122 (Figs. 2 and 5) secured at their opposite ends to plate members 124 which ride against the inside faces of the supports 104 and 106, and from which the pins 120 project. A shield member 126, preferably formed of sheet metal, depends from each of the rods 122 and is formed along its lower edge with a trough 123 which opens upwardlyat the side of the shield member facing toward the related steam producing cylinder 56 or 58. The distance between the rods 122 is such" that the shield members 126 receive the tubular knit goods therebetween and are in turn receivable in the space between the cylinders 56 and 58, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 5. Thus, as the pins 120 are displaced within the slots 108, the shield members 126 are moved between inoperative positions, shown in full lines in Fig. 5, in which the steam emittingopenings 108 are uncovered or exposed, andoperative positions, shown in broken lines in Fig. 5, in which the shield members are disposed between the steam emitting openings 100 and the tubulanknit fabric to shield the latterfrom the...

steam. When the shield members 126 are in theiroperative positions, as described above, the steam impinging against the shield members will condense on the latter and be collected in the troughs 128. Since this condensa-- tion will be slight, it will evaporate from the troughs 128 during the periods when the shield members are in their inoperative positions and no provision need be made for draining the condensate from the troughs.

When the associated spreading machine is mechanically driven, as by an electric motor drive, the shield members 126 may be retained in their inoperative positions byautomatic means (not shown) which effect release thereof when the motor is stopped. For example, the members 126 may be retained in their inoperative positions by solenoids which are connected to the motor energizing circuit so that the solenoids are energized, when current is supplied to the motor, and are deenergized, to permit the shield members to gravitationally drop to their operative positions, when the supply of current to the spreading machine motor is interrupted.

In the illustrated arrangement for manually actuating the shield members, yieldable means (Figs. 4 and 6) is provided for holding the shield members 126 in their inoperative or raised positions. Such yieldable means includes a spring catch 130 extending from the arm 112 and riding against the outer face of support 106. A projection or detent 132 is formed on the outer face of support 106 in the path of movement of the catch 130 and is positioned to support the end of the latter when the shield members are in their raised or inoperative positions. The end of spring catch 130 is preferably curved, as shown in Fig. 6, so that it may ride over the detent 132 in either direction when the handle 116 is manipulated with sufiicient force to overcome the holding effect of the engagement of the catch with the detent.

As seen in Fig. 5, the cylinders 56 and 58 are preferably provided with internal shields or baffles 134 and 136, respectively, extending longitudinally thereof and which inclined generally upwardly from the inner surface of the related cylinders at lines just below the perforations 100. The free edge portions of the baffles 134 and 136 are bent downwardly so that water entering the cylinders from the conduits 62 and 64 will be diverted laterally away from the sides of the cylinders having the openings or perforations 100. The water heated within the cylinders 56 and 58 to produce steam is maintained'at a level below the shields or baffles 134- and 136 so that the latter prevent splashing of the water through the porforations 10%} without restricting flow of the steam around the free edges of the baffles for emission through the perforations 100.

From the foregoing description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention it will be apparent that a steaming attachment has been provided for association with conventional spreading machines handling tubular knit goods and which is operative to effect a controlled steaming of the knit goods prior to passage over the spreading frame of the associated machine so that the goods may shrink or be stretched on the frame to obtain a uniform width. Further, it is apparent that the attachment embodying the present invention includes shielding means for preventing saturation or scorching of the knit goods when the operationof the spreading machine is discontinued, and without requiring any halt in the production of steam. Finally, it will be noted that the production of steam directly within the cylinders 56 and 58 causes the heating units to act upon a relatively small quantity of water so that steam is produced with little delay andwithout the necessity of providing a bulky and costly steam producing plant remote from the spreading machine.

Referring now-to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing, another embodiment of my invention is there illustrated and in-' cludes modifications in the shape of the chambers in which.- the steam is produced as well as in the arrangement" for feeding water to these chambers. For the purpose 7. of clarity and simplicity, those portions of the device of Figs. 1' to 7 which are unchanged in the embodiment of Figs; 81 and 9 are omitted from the latter, but it is to be' understood that the parts of the device illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 are to be combined with such unchanged portions. of the device previously described in detail.

In place of the cylinders 56 and 58, the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 includes a pair of elongated. tubular casings 1'38 and 140 having rectangular cross-sections. The heating. elements 80a are disposed adjacent the fiat bottom of each of the casings 138 and 14%). Assuming a particular distance between the. heating elements and a a particular spacing of. the elements from. the bottom of the casing, it is apparent that. a smaller quantity of water is. required to cover the heating elements 80a overlying a flat. bottom than to cover heating elements overlying a curved bottom. Therefore, steam. can be produced in a relatively short period of time with the casings. of Figs. 8v and 9. Further, the rectangular configuration of the casings 138' and 14% tends to reduce the splashing of water therein so that the shields or baflies 134 and 136 of Fig. may be eliminated without the danger of water passing through the steam emitting openings 1 90a formed in the confronting side walls of the casings. As in the previously described embodiment, suitable thermostatic controls 82a are associated with the heating elements 80a within the rectangular casings to regulate the temperatures produced in the latter; 7

Water is fed to the casings 138 and 140 from a tank 76a and for this purpose an outlet is provided at the bottomof the tank and has a control valve 142 interposed therein to regulate the rate of flow to the casings. A conduit or pipe 144; which is preferably flexible, is. removably connected to the valve 142 and extends to a T-coupling 146 branching into two supply pipes 148 and 150 for feeding water to the two casings. 138 and 140 are respectively provided with inlet pipes 152 and 154 connected to the bottomwalls thereof and also to T-couplings 156 and 158 which are respectively connected to the supply pipes 148 and 150. The third branches of the couplings 156 and 158 are connected to drain-cocks 159 and 162 so that the casings may be emptied.

As seen in Fig. 8, a back-feed system may be provided between the casings 138 and 140' and the tank 76:: to

exert some pressure on the water in the tank so that the water is fed to the casings under a pressure substantially equal to the pressure developed in the casings. Such a back-feed system may include a valved inlet 164 a-tthe top of the tank 76a which is removably connected to a flexible back-feed hose 166. The hose 166 is in turn connected to a pipe 16%, preferably having a valve 170 interposed therein, which branches into two pipe sections E72 and 17 t opening into the casings 138 and 140, respectively, at the ends of the latter. As seen in Fig. 8, the pipe sections 172 and 174 are connected to the respective casings substantially ator above the level of the openings or perforations ldfia. It is apparent that the valves 164 and 176 provide for isolation of the tank from the casings through the back'feed system when the tank 76a is removed from its supports for refilling, or when the. action of the back-feed system is not desired.

While I have described and shown illustrative embodiments of my invention, it. is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise constructional details thereof, and that various changes and modifications may be effected: therein byone-skillecl inthe art without deparu'ng from thesccpe of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A steaming attachment formounting upon a tubular knit goods laying-up machine; said attachment comprising a frame, means for mounting said frame on a laying-up machine, a pair of parallel and spaced apart elongated casings. onv said. frame. and positioned. to have the tubular knit goods pass between said casings prior to The casings- 8 the. spreading of the goods, means for supplying water. to said casings, means in said casings for. intenselyheating the water supplied to: the latter to produce, steam therein, said casings having openings formed in the confronting sides thereof to emit steam in directions toward the tubular knit goods passing between said casings shield members for preventing impingement of the emitted steam against the tubular knit goods disposed between said casings, means supporting, said shield members; for movement between inoperative positions. remote from said openings and operative positions interposed betweensaid openings and the tubular knit goods between said casings, said shield members being spaced from said; openings when in their operative positions to. permit the; continuous emission of steam through. said openings, actuating means for moving: said shield members bet-Ween said. in.- operative and operative positions of the latter, and means on said shield members for collecting the. ctmdensatev forming on. said. shield members when the latter are in. said operative positions. thereof.

2'. A steaming attachment for mounting upon a tubular knit goods laying-up machine; said attachment comprising at least one elognated casing positioned for pas:- sage of the tubular goods adjacent thereto, a tank for containing water, said casinghaving openingsformed in the side thereoi facing toward the path of the tubular goods, conduit means for feeding water from said tank to said casing through the bottom of the latter and to a level below said openings, heating elementsin said; casing to heatthe water therein for producing steam, and a back-feed conduit connecting said casing above the level of the Water therein to the top of said tank for equalizing the pressureacting in said casing and tank.

3. A steaming attachment for mounting upon a tubular knit goods laying-up machine; said attachment com-- prising a frame, means for mountingsaid frame on a laying-up machine, a pair of parallel and spaced apart elongated casings on said frame and positioned to have the tubular knit goods pass between said casings prior to the spreading. of the goods, means operative to provide steam within said casings, said casings having openings formed in the confronting sides thereof to emit steam in directions toward the tubular knit goods, shield members including a pair of rods, plate members secured to the opposite ends of said rods tomaintain the latter in parallel, spaced apart relationship and substantially fiat shields depending from: said rods for preventing impingement of the emitted steam against the goods between said casings, supporting means for said shield members including longitudinally slotted support members extending from said frame and guide pins projecting from said plate members and extending slidab'ly through said slotted support members to permit movement of the shields between inoperative positions remote from said openings and operative positions interposed between said openings and the tubular knit goods disposed between the casings, said slotted support'mem-bers being. disposed. so that said shields are spaced from said openings when in their operative'positions to permit: the continuous emission of from: said openings, and actuating means. for moving said shield members between said inoperative and operative positions thereof.

4. A steaming attachment according to claim 3; further comprising'a trough formed on the free edge of each of said flat shields to collect the condensate forming on the latter'when said shield members-'are-intheir operative positions.

5. A steaming-attachment according to claim 3;-wherein said actuating means includes lever arms pivoted on said support members and having sl'otted'. endsv toreceive: said guidepins, anda handle on at least one of said lever arms. to. provide for: manual swinging of; the latter to:

effect movement of. said guide along.v said slotted:

support members.

6. A steaming attachment according to claim 5; fur- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Allbe Feb. 13, 1894 Bray Dec. 4, 1906 Chatfield July 12, 1910 Rae Oct. 30, 1923 Jacoby Mar. 27, 1928 Carroll June 26, 1928 10 Danninger Apr. 28, 1931 Dooley May 12, 1931 Spooner July 16, 1935 Crowley Jan. 30, 1940 Flahive May 27, 1941 Greene Apr. 25, 1944 Redman Apr. 20, 1948 Haeberlin Jan. 17, 1950 Hartley Feb. 28, 1950 Maurer June 26, 1951 Dungler Apr. 29, 1952 Cohn July 8, 1952 Jacoby June 9, 1953 Dungler Jan. 26, 1954 

